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Defender Picks

How do you feel about folk-rock? NOLA gets a double dose tonight with the Felice Brothers at Tipitina’s and songwriter Richard Buckner at the Beatnik. Plus, the legendary Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters at d.b.a. and some very short original plays. Full details tonight:

It’s Friday! Ease into the weekend with live music at Audubon Park and the Historic New Orleans collection—wine in hand, of course. NOMA hosts an outdoor screening of the noir classic Sunset Boulevard. Adult Swim comedy duo Tim and Eric perform at the Civic tonight. And happy birthday to DJ Soul Sister! New Orleans’ queen of rare funk LPs spins in her own honor at Tipitina’s tonight.

Thursday evening means it’s time for Jazz in the Park. Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs perform tonight, along with Colin Lake and the Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School Marching Band. For live music and air conditioning, drop in on singer-songwriter Edward David Anderson at Ogden After Hours. Plus, a special screening of short films shot exclusively on Super 8. Get all the details after the jump.

Two new plays open in New Orleans tonight: Sam Shepard’s family drama A Lie of the Mind comes to Midcity Theatre, and local writer Michael Allen Zell’s dark comedy Thin Walls premieres at the Shadowbox. Maple Street Book Shop celebrates fifty years of fighting the stupids with a golden anniversary soirée. Plus, a songwriter featured on NBC’s The Voice plays on Frenchmen. See more Friday night events:

Jazz in the Park bops back to Armstrong Park with soul singer and keyboard player Nigel Hall, backed by his band the Congregation and supported by rising young horn player Travis “Trumpet Black” Hill. Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Cory Branan performs at the Beatnik. And while most of us have adjusted to the Sometimes-Picayune, media scholars are still debating its import. Plus, weekend theatre picks tonight:

Sarah Carr, an education reporter who wrote a close study of New Orleans' unprecedented experiment with public charter schools, speaks at Tulane tonight. Shotgun Cinema sceens Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski’s film Ida. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike returns to Le Petite this weekend, Black Lips play Tipitina's, and Restaurant Week continues. Dinner and a show, right this way:

Who Dat! The Saints are back for real, playing their season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. If pigskin’s not your bag, catch the Sunday matinee of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or join the NOLA Social Ride at the Country Club this afternoon. Tonight, James Singleton leads his quartet at Snug Harbor and the Hot 8 Brass Band play on without their leader at the Howlin’ Wolf. See the details:

It’s time to let your judgment go as Shotgun Cinema screens Stop Making Sense tonight. Tulane inaugurates a new stadium and ignites regional rivalries with a home game against Georgia Tech. Plus, Ty Segall performs in the French Quarter, Little Freddie King plays on Frenchmen, and two top-quality local theatre productions continue their opening weekend. Have a rockin’ Saturday night:

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, the Tony-winning comedy by playwright Christopher Durang, celebrates its New Orleans premiere at Le Petit Theatre tonight. Audubon Park debuts the 2014 season of Music Under the Oaks. Flow Tribe celebrate a brand-new album at Tipitina’s, and local rapper turned national star G-Eazy brings the heat to Republic. The Big Easy autumn arts calendar is heating up:

Jazz in the Park kicks off its sixth season tonight with To Be Continued Brass Band and the Shannon Powell Band at Armstrong Park. The NOLA Project’s new production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest opens at NOCCA. Plus, a jazz trio at the Ogden and two more chances to check out restaurant-themed items from the vaults of the Louisiana State Museum. Get all the details for Thursday: